Although the Cook County News- Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules!
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked anglers on area inland lakes; snow is going fast and lake conditions are great for foot travel right now. Manning also checked snowmobilers who were happy to get a few last rides in for the season. Crosscountry skiers were also checked and reported that trail conditions were less than ideal with rather treacherous conditions on the shaded downhills. One person reported that the warm weather brought a sudden melt and release of water and ice on the river next to her home. It brought up the river level several feet very quickly. Folks planning to do any spring river walking/hiking are urged to use caution and watch the weather.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked an angling and snowmobile detail up the Gunflint Trail over the weekend. Spring riding conditions were fair and recent trail grooming was enjoyed by all. Lake Superior ice has started to break up with recent winds, ending the rare ice-angling event. Murray answered several car-injured deer calls and checked spring beaver trapping activity.
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) spent time helping out an individual who had set up a winter residence on state park land. The person, who had spent much of the winter living out of an uninsulated, homemade shelter, was assisted in moving to a better location.
CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) took calls of an injured three-legged deer and a dead bald eagle that had hit a power line. When Kuske retrieved the eagle, she found that someone had cut off the feet. Keeping eagle parts and/or feathers without a federal permit is illegal and can result in a fine of up to $100,000, imprisonment for one year, or both.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) took a call and is investigating a poached wolf in Isabella.
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) investigated a call about three deer that were shot and dumped northeast of Roseau. A complaint of a deer killed by a dog was also investigated.
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